Loud, disruptive snoring could be (but isn’t always) a sign of sleep apnea, a common condition in which breathing may stop and start many times throughout the night. You may be aware that sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep and cause fatigue, but did you know that it can also impact your heart, your brain – even your sex drive? In today’s episode, we discuss the health risks of undiagnosed sleep apnea and why, if you’re having trouble sleeping or staying awake during the day, if you’re experiencing morning headaches, mood changes or difficulty focusing, you should consider getting a sleep tes ..read more

At UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, we have cared for many patients living with an extreme and heartbreaking facial pain disorder called trigeminal neuralgia. Patients often describe the pain as a lightning bolt to the face, or an electric shock. Some talk about the impact the disease has had on their family & relationships, including not being able to hug their loved ones, or kiss their children goodnight.  In today’s episode, we discuss how AI is helping researchers look for patterns and clues to treat patients living with trigeminal neuralgia and other chronic pain disorders. Featuri ..read more

The Lullaby Project brings together expectant mothers with professional songwriters to write, record, and perform an original lullaby for their baby. In 2017, Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall brought this heartwarming initiative to Toronto, and invited partners to participate, including Dr. Esther Bui, a neurologist who specializes in treating women with epilepsy. Today, we’re exploring whether participating in a project like The Lullaby Project can improve overall mental health for pregnant women who are living with epilepsy. Featuring: Dr. Esther Bui - Neurologist and epilepsy specialist fo ..read more

Do you know a child who has difficulty spelling or sounding out words? Maybe they feel stressed or anxious when it comes to reading, or they try to avoid it altogether? These symptoms could be a sign of a reading disorder, which is the most common form of a learning disability. In this episode, we discuss the prevalence and impact of reading disorders, what scientists are learning about the genetic links, and what that could mean for new approaches and treatments in the future. Featuring: Dr. Cathy Barr – Senior Scientist with UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute and the Hospital for Sick Children ..read more

Have you ever heard of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, also known as NF? It’s one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting about 1 in 3000 people globally. NF causes different types of tumours to form in various parts of the body. Because so little is known about the condition, it’s often misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all. UHN is home to the Elisabeth Raab Neurofibromatosis Clinic, the only adult NF clinic in Canada. We discuss the clinic and the exciting research happening in the field of NF. But, for many people living with the condition, the stigma is often as cha ..read more

In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was injured in a horseback riding accident, leaving him quadriplegic - paralyzed from the shoulders down. He became a tireless advocate and a passionate supporter of research.  Christopher’s dream was for those living with spinal cord injuries to have a better quality of life, and one day to walk again.  More than 25 years later, thanks to advances in surgical approaches, neuroprotective drugs, and gene therapy using stem cells, that dream is becoming closer to reality. Featuring: Dr. Laureen Hachem is a Senior Neurosurgery Resident and PhD Candidate ..read more

In the time that it takes to say this sentence – three seconds – someone in the world will develop dementia, a group of symptoms impacting memory, thinking, mood, behaviour and the ability to complete everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. With people living longer, even into their 90s and beyond, dementia is becoming the biggest and most consequential global health threat of our time. But, according to a landmark study in The Lancet medical journal, there are 12 modifiable risk factors that can reduce your chances of getting dementia at any age – by up to 40%. In t ..read more

In a sweeping 2023 report, the US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness an epidemic and a public health emergency. According to the report, loneliness and isolation can lead to a significant increase in mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as a nearly 30% increased risk of heart disease, stroke and among older adults, a 50% risk of dementia. Around the world, there are efforts to help people cope with loneliness. In the Netherlands, one grocery store chain has introduced ‘chat check outs’ where customers can take their time and socialize – part of a g ..read more

We are once again bringing you inside UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, one of North America's largest and most innovative neurological centres, to meet the scientists & physicians advancing discovery, the patients who inspire us, and the care teams who support them.  This season, we’re exploring some big new research in brain health, including: What young women need to know about preventing a stroke, Can loneliness re-wire your brain? And how YOU can reduce YOUR chances of Alzheimer’s.  We’ll also take you to the forefront of AI powered brain science, dive into the link between g ..read more

Breathing exercises are simple techniques can help improve your overall well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and increasing mindfulness. Listen to this original 5-minute 'Breathing Space' practice created by Dr. Kathryn Curtis for listeners of Your Complex Brain. Dr. Kathryn Curtis is a clinical psychologist at the Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program at UHN, where she provides psychological services to individuals living with chronic pain. Dr. Curtis' research evaluates mind-body interventions, such as yoga and mindfulness, for populations experiencing chronic pain and mobil ..read more